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A networked approach to inclusion: Sound Connections events round-up

Over the past year Sound Connections has delivered three events celebrating musical inclusion; one focused on early years, one on working with young people in challenging circumstances, and one co-produced by Wired4Music with Sound Connections championing youth voice and participation. All three areas of practice still fight for their place in music education practice and policy and it remains important to shine a light on the best work happening in these fields.

Here are the highlights from this year.

Early Years conference

“With Open Arms: investigating musically inclusive practice in early years”, brought together over 50 early years practitioners, arts and cultural organisations and Music Education Hubs for a day of debate, case studies and conversation around equitable access and inclusivity. Kicked off by Dr Carolyn Blackburn, whose keynote addressed the current socio, cultural and political context, delegates also heard from organisation delivering extraordinary work with isolated families, children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and speech and language therapists. Clear themes from the day were around entrepreneurship, the benefits of multi-agency working and the importance and value of music and play for its own sake. We also explored bringing children’s voices to the foreground and the importance of reflective practice.

You can read a write up about the conference here and a transcript of Dr Carolyn Blackburn’s keynote here.

This year’s conference provocation was that “by 2020 we will no longer need to use the phrase ‘challenging circumstances’ in our work breaking down barriers to music opportunities for London’s children and young people, as the music education sector will have inclusion at its heart”.

With around 60 delegates in attendance, there was representation from specialist music practitioners and charities, Music Education Hubs, funders, the youth sector, venues and orchestras. Speakers demonstrated the powerful and important practice that is happening in youth and community centres and for young people outside the mainstream education system. There was much debate around targeted work with those facing barriers to access versus programmes that aim to be open and accessible to all. Discussions and feedback suggest that priorities for organisations and practitioners include:

Skills for better measuring and evidencing impact

Exploring alternative and diverse funding streams

Working as a collective voice to ensure that music projects for young people in challenging circumstances are supported equally and fairly and don’t fall to the periphery of music education

The conference was featured in a Music Teacher magazine editorial, where it was recognised that music opportunities for young people in challenging circumstances are kept alive by music teachers and leaders delivering projects on a shoestring “reaching places where even social workers could not reach” and that it is “hard to argue that the money they had begged and borrowed was not well spent.”

Delivered in partnership with Roundhouse, this year’s event was more youth-led than ever with members of Wired4Music planning, programming and facilitating the day. The event questioned how we can make diversity and inclusion a reality through presentations, panel discussions and workshops, led by Londoners aged 16-25 with the support of leading music organisations representing a range of projects and initiatives.

Watch this powerful film to find out more:

The day-time event was followed by an open mic session and a gig produced by Springboard Live and members of Wired4Music in the evening.